Complying with pesticide regulations can be tricky business. You want to make sure that your customers are happy and that their lawns are pest-free, but it can be difficult to do that while also complying with the regulations.
1. Know the regulations. First of all, it helps to know the regulations before anything else. Check out http://npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html and click on your respective state to learn about the regulations that apply to your green industry business. If you know the rules it will be easier to satisfy your customers as well as the law.
2. Train your staff. Just like you wouldn't throw a four year old on a bike without any guidance or training wheels, you can't expect your employees to know the proper application techniques without teaching them first. When training your staff make sure you they know what is wrong and what is right in terms of regulations. Once you yourself, are knowledgeable, it wouldn't hurt to accompany your staff for the first couple of clients to make sure you can correct any errors in procedure. Teaching your staff the right techniques will make for a well-oiled machine (literally and figuratively).
3. Utilize your software. Make sure to use your software to track and manage your pesticide applications. Software will help you keep track of inventory, technique, and revenue. Like always, software is going to eliminate many headaches from your days and its going to make pesticide application run a lot smoother.
4. Perform quality control checks. Make sure that the chemicals you are using are of quality. Keep up with the gold standard of your small business by placing signs when finished with pesticide application. Don't get lazy! You wouldn't want a customer's dog to get sick because you forgot to tell them you came and sprayed chemicals. Keep your staff updated and informed on any pesticide updates.
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